10 Things You Were Told All Your Life Were Healthy — But Actually Aren't

Posted by Denette Wilford on April 14, 2020

There are so many myths surrounding health, it's hard to keep track of what's true and what's not. From old wives' tales, some tidbit your mom insisted was fact, a doctor who trained at the old school, to something you've heard over and over again so much that you just believed it was true.

If you believed some of these things for most of your life, we get it. But don't fret — and don't feel guilty. You might be surprised that all this time, you haven't been "bad" at all.

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Carbs are terrible

Bread, potatoes, rice and other grain products are associated with weight gain but they're actually necessary — and not the devil like people think. On the contrary, they're more like a necessary evil (though even "evil" is too strong a word). It's all about eating the right kind of carbohydrate, from complex to whole-grain, rather than cookies and fries and the stuff that contain added sugar and refined grains.

Drink eight glasses of water a day — or else

Yes, your body needs water to do a number of things, from keeping your energy up, making you feel full, and providing the kidneys with the amount of fluid to do their job properly, but eight actual glasses is a tad misleading. The water that comes in foods and other drinks should also be taken into account, not to mention other factors like physical activity and environment conditions.

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Eight hours of sleep a night are required

While age definitely matters, the ideal amount of sleep for the average adult varies between seven to nine hours. That being said, some can function on as little as five hours each night while others don't feel well-rested until they've enjoyed at least nine hours of zzzs.

You'll get sick if you go outside with wet hair

The only way to catch a cold is to come into contact with the viruses that cause them — which means you and your damp tresses are safe. That's right, a quick blow-dry may be more convenient but it isn't necessary.

The body requires regular detoxing

Biologically speaking, that's what your liver is for. Shakes and drinks for detoxing purposes aren't necessarily bad for a person — but they can replace healthy food the body needs. You just need to be more mindful of what you're putting in it.

You need to poop once a day

On the contrary, regular bowels can mean anything from three times in one day to three times a week. It simply depends on your diet and eating habits, as well as your fibre and fluid intake. If there's something to be concerned about, it's the consistency of said bowel movements.

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You have to work out every day to see results

Psst. Guess what? You don't have to feel guilty for not exercising seven days a week. Overdoing it could result in an injury or weight-loss plateau so give yourself a chance to rest, recharge and recover. Your body will let you know.

But if you're feeling restless at home, consider doing some calorie-burning chores around the house on your day off from the gym.

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Eggs are bad for your heart

There was a time where the cholesterol in eggs were believed to be bad for your heart health and to only have them once a week. Nowadays, some say you can eat an egg daily and be fine. Like with everything else, don't go overboard but considering eggs contain protein, vitamins, phospholipids and carotenoids, all of which are good for you, they're no longer the bad eggs they were once made out to be.

Beer is bad for you

Similar to red wine, there's evidence showing that having a beer isn't terrible for you. Beer has been known to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and kidney stones, and even strengthen bones. But don't go thinking you can down beer after beer; the the benefits come from about one beer daily.

Snacking is a terrible idea

It was once hammered into our heads that we should stick to three meals a day but over time, it's been pointed out that snacking, or multiple smaller meals, can be better for some. It all depends on weight, metabolism and blood sugar. If all else fails and the rumbling from your belly is almost deafening, don't ignore it. Feed it — just opt for something healthy and not super-sugary, salty or overly processed.